Super Sales: Designing the Perfect Internet Marketer

The other day, I was at the grocery store and overheard two young kids talking about their favorite football players. They were mixing and matching the traits of various athletes in order to describe (in their mind) what athletic attributes a super football player would have. For example; the perfect running back would be comprised of LeSean McCoy’s agility, with Adrian Peterson’s size and speed, and the power of Marshawn Lynch (yes, I had to Google these players myself).

This got the gears in my head turning. This mix and match approach could be taken to virtually any industry, including internet marketing. What if we were to compile a set of traits to create our own vision of a super internet marketer? I think that would help us gain insight into what we should strive to be in order to reach our goals.

So, for today’s blog post, I’ve created a list of 9 traits, in no particular order, that I personally believe every internet marketer should strive to perfect. I’ll also explain WHY these traits are so important to your success. These traits alone are relatively useless, but combined, will allow any internet marketer to become an absolute powerhouse within their market.

Our super marketer…

Partners with the Right People

Have you ever heard the phrase “two minds are greater than one”? This holds true for any business endeavor you undertake. There have been online businesses that have literally exploded on the scene overnight because they chose to work with specific people in their industry. Unfortunately, the opposite has happened as well, where businesses have suddenly tanked due to the people that business owners chose to align themselves with.

This is an important, yet often times overlooked aspect of internet marketing. Everyone wants to go at it alone, but that can often yield slow growth. Here are a few key reasons WHY a solid partnership can lead to internet marketing riches.

Additional Exposure – The right partner will get your brand in front of an extended audience that you may have never been able to reach on your own.

Decreased Work Load – Outsourcing work is the key to productive internet marketing.

Fresh Ideas – again, two minds are always better than one.

Like Mindedness – Surrounding yourself with positive, success driven people that have the same goals as yourself, can significantly alter how you operate.

Is Always Available

As a business owner, you have an obligation to your consumers and your team to be readily available if they need to contact you. In today’s technological age, there is no excuse for “falling off the grid”. Imagine if there was an issue at a brick and mortar store and the upper management was nowhere to be found? Not only would this negligence turn consumers away, but employees would essentially have free reign to do whatever they wanted, potentially decreasing productivity.

Even though you operate online, you must treat your internet endeavors the same as if you were in a brick and mortar building. If set up properly, your business model will allow for plenty of rest and recreation, but if an issue were to arise, you need to be available.

Understands the Needs of Consumers and Helps Them Make Their Buying Decision

For our super marketer, this is something he or she excels at. Often times marketers see a gap in the market that needs to be filled, but doesn’t fully understand WHY.

This often requires the marketer to empathize with their consumer base in order to “walk a day in their shoes”. What are the pain points of your target market? How will your product or service extinguish that pain? When you really understand your customers’ needs, you can take massive action to create the outcomes that make them feel welcome, important, and comfortable.

Has Clearly Defined Goals and Objectives

In order to bring your ambitions to light, they need substance. This will help you create a detailed plan of action. For this I use the SMART method. If your goal follows all 5 criteria, then you’re in the clear. If not, then continue tweaking it until it does.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Time Bound

Believe it or not, there are major corporations in Japan that have their objectives mapped out for the next 25 to 50 years.

Understands the Value of Analytics

Once in a blue moon we’ll hear of a successful business person that made it big by simply “winging it.” For every person like this, there are countless others that failed miserably because of this approach. With analytics comes opportunity. Based on the data you are provided, you will have the ability to make the decisions needed to ensure that you are successful instead of simply relying on dumb luck.

Asks Consumers for Their Opinions

You’re not just marketing a product or service; you are essentially creating a partnership with your consumers. Successful businesses are more collaborative now than ever before, adding value that helps consumers realize their goals. You must tailor your products and services to the needs of your target market, not the other way around.

Takes Action

We live in the digital age where changes can occur instantly. Instead of waiting on the sidelines, make an effort to be as efficient as possible. If you are creating a free report, don’t put it off until next week when there are potential consumers out there that are dying to read it today.

General Patton once said, “A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.” There will always be time to tweak and make changes later.

Is Self Motivated

Internet marketing can be tough. There is no shortcut to success. At first, there is A LOT of work that needs to be done. Once you’ve tasted success and have implemented a plan to continue forward, then you will be able to sit back and relax. Until that point is reached, it may take quite a bit of persistence, testing, and retesting in order to get it right.

Unfortunately, no one is going to do it for you. A 6, 7, or 8 figure business is not going to fall into your lap. Even if you outsource the bulk of the work, there will still be tasks that need your hands on management. Without that internal driving force, you will be fighting an uphill battle as I can assure you, your competitors that are currently making a living online will not be willing to share a piece of the pie without putting up a fight.

Adds Personality

Think of any top level marketer in your industry. Not only are they successful because they provide outstanding value, but they succeed because people like them. We can both agree that the majority of the information provided on the internet is mediocre at best.

What separates those from the rest is the innate ability to insert a bit of personality into their work. This connects with people, touches them in a way that influences them to make purchases and continue coming back for more.

The truth is, the majority of us already possess these 9 traits. We simply need to continue to polish and refine them. When that occurs, the world will be our oyster and all our online dreams will become a reality.

What are some traits that you think should be added to this list? Feel free to leave your response in the comment section below!

About Sean Donahoe

Sean is one of the most recognized industry leaders in business and marketing. As a popular speaker, author, consultant he has helped over 50,000 students world wide find success in their businesses and has consulted with Fortune 500 companies and businesses of every size grow and thrive...

One comment

Sean, your points are spot on. Especially like your point about asking consumers for opinion. Knowing what your customers want is the best way for you to be able to tailor your marketing campaigns in such a way that address those wants. Thanks for this.